Mr. Shoemaker has worked as a master mariner licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Chambers USA states that Mr. Shoemaker “is a ‘terrific’ attorney with years of experience handling a broad scope of maritime issues. He is particularly capable in personal injury matters, Jones Act litigation, navigational error claims and cargo damage defense. One observer reports: ‘His greatest strengths are his practical application of his broad experience and an ability to identify the critical issues.’”

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Lead counsel defending a stevedore in a fatality lawsuit in Brownsville, Texas, involving a truck driver crushed by falling steel cargo.

Lead maritime counsel for the financing, acquisition, reflagging, refurbishment, charter, and heavy lift transportation of a $68.5 million offshore drilling rig.

Co-counsel in a five-day trial representing the owner of an offshore construction support vessel in a dispute with a charterer over the formation of a charterparty.

Lead counsel in a lawsuit for a breach of contract for an offshore platform component part supplier, prevailing before the appellate court.

Lead counsel in a SMA arbitration in New York representing a charterer in a dispute with a vessel owner over a seaworthiness warranty, prevailing on all

claims and obtaining a full award for attorney’s fees.

Lead counsel representing a vessel owner in Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act proceedings concerning a shipboard fire with three fatalities.

Lead counsel representing a Jones Act employer in an emergency search and rescue and subsequent federal court lawsuits concerning an offshore platform support vessel crew member suicide.

Lead counsel representing a major regional stevedore in numerous personal injury and cargo lawsuits and claims, and including nearly all aspects of stevedore liability exposure.

Lead counsel in multiple SMAarbitrations in New York and HMAA, AAA, and JAMS arbitrations in Houston.

Co-counsel representing cargo interests in multiple general average incidents with adjustments in New York and London.

Represented the purchaser or seller in 75+ major commercial vessel transactions, including documentation under U.S. and foreign-flags.

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Shoemaker is a proctor in admiralty with the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and he is actively involved with the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, having served as a speaker, member of the Board of Directors, chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee, editor, and editor-in-chief. Mr. Shoemaker is also active with his church and his children’s schools, and with fundraising for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He is a certified arbitrator and a member of the Board of Directors for the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association (“HMAA”).